KAWASAKI 250 SL LAUNCH. 2014.

Kawasaki Motors Malaysia kicks off its 30th Anniversary of the Ninja Series with the launch of the New Ninja 250 SL at Sepang International circuit on 22nd May 2014. Officiating the event were YM Raja Dato’ Hanipuddin Bin Raja Dato’ Nong Chik, Executive Chairman of Kawasaki Motors Malaysia, En. Ahmad Faez Yahaya, Director of Kawasaki Motors Malaysia, Mr. Jeffrey Lim, General Manager and Director of Kawasaki Motors Malaysia, Mr. Satoru Akitsu,Technical and factory controller, Kawasaki Motors Malaysia, Mr. Kazutaka Oka, Kawasaki heavy industries Limited Japan, Dato’ Ahmad Razlan Razali, Chief Executive Officer of Sepang International Circuit and Mr. Victor Yee, Managing Director of Fuchs Silkolene Malaysia.
The Ninja 250 SL is not only a replacement of the popular Ninja 150RR Two-Stroke machine, which has been phased out of production at the end of 2013 but also complimenting the current line-up of the 250 cc model series. Namely the Ninja 250 and Z250. Members of the media were given the opportunity to not only view the bike up close and personal but also to take it for a test ride around the North part of the International circuit.
Credit goes to the design department for coming up with a design based on the ZX family DNA. Notable cosmetic changes as compared to the previous Ninja 250 include the front signals which are now protruding from the fairing instead of flushing with the fairing, side fairing air flow vents, clip-on handle bars and the console running on full digital. The double front head lights of the previous Ninja 250 model have been replaced with a single head light.
The New Ninja 250 SL is a single cylinder, Four-Stroke, DOHC 4 Valves, liquid cool, 6-speed machine with good low and mid-range torque. However a top speed of 154 Km/h achieved on the front straight of Sepang International circuit is a bit disappointing seeing that the Ninja 250 SL will attract the younger market who will be expecting a superbike design 250 cc machine to achieve more on the speedometer. Stopping power is via a twin caliper piston, gripping on a 290mm petal disc for the front and a 220mm petal disc for the rear.
Handling of the bike is better than expected. The 250 SL with Trellis frame made of high tensile steel responded well on the different types of turns around the circuit. On standard tires and factory suspension set up, the Ninja 250 SL feels like it is ready to race. The front has a 37mm Telescopic fork with 110mm stroke while attach to the rear is a ‘Bottom-Link Uni-Trak’ with 5 adjustable Pre-load. This 250 SL comes with an 11 Liter tank and has a dry weight of 151 Kg, a reduction of almost 21 Kgs compared to its predecessor. A milestone achieved on this bike is the technologically innovative patented radiator fan which is located on the back of the radiator to channel heat downwards away from the rider. Great for bikers in the Asian region where heat is always an issue on the comfort of the rider.
Buyers will have 2 choices of colors to choose from. Lime Green and Yellow. With a selling price of RM17, 689.00 and a good build bike, Kawasaki Motors Malaysia is definitely set to capture more than 50% market share of the 250 cc class in Malaysia.

Text by: Justin Hong.
Picture by: EK Lim.